Chapter 3: Sold to the enemy

**Alexandra**

The wind roared in my ears, and the sharp stones pierced my already sore feet as I ran further away from my godparents house and out of Emberwood Pack.

I took several wrong turns all leading to a web of thorns which scratched and tore my already bruised skin.

There was nothing left for me. I was an omega, the weakest of the weak, had no mate and the only person I thought I could trust, Sarah, stabbed me in the back.

No surprise there. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

A miserable life awaited me the longer I stayed at this pack and under my relatives.

I ignored my legs threatening to give up, and the severe tightening of my chest as I pressed forward, hoping to get out of the pack and my family's claws.

“This way!”

My legs froze up as the unmistakable voice of my godfather traveled to my ears.

He was close, and with the way I was bleeding out, he'll sniff me out soon. I had to get out of his reach.

Racing blindly through the woods with no idea of my path and the dangers that lay ahead, I collided head first with the bark of a tree, which sent my vision blurring and my legs giving out.

As I lay on the cold, hard ground, my blood mixing with the fallen leaves and the sound of my uncle's voice growing closer, images of a time I was once happy with my parents and brother filled my mind.

“I'm sorry…I'm sorry, Mom, Dad, Asher.”

Hot tears streamed down my face, mixing with the mud and finding their way to my lips.

Through my tears, I caught a glimpse of the boundary lines.

I stretched my hand and crawled on my belly, sticks and stones digging into my skin and dirt mixing into my already raw wound.

I'm close, so close to freedom.

“You bitch!”

My godfather’s menacing voice thundered above me, and his twisted face danced in my sight before it went dark.

***

Splash!

The feeling of hot water against my bruised skin forced my eyes open and sent me reeling as I gritted my teeth in pain.

Where was I?

The last I remember, I was being chased in the woods.

“Stay still, young lady.” An unfamiliar voice barked at me.

I struggled to focus my sight on the voice, my eyes still adjusting to the bright light that greeted it.

“Wh-who are you?” I croak out in a shaky voice, aware of the dank bathroom with a slimy green substance around the walls that I was in.

“Where am I?”

My questions were met with silence as the groggy-looking lady went on scrubbing my skin without paying attention to me.

My attention shifted to the door creaking open, and my godmother’s head popped in.

“You are finally awake. Scrub her face well, she has to look presentable .”

“Anuty what's going on? Where am I?”

She smirked, her long red fingernails tracing the curves of my face.

“You thought we'd just let you go after all the years we took care of you?”

“ I'm sorry for running away aunty,” I cried. “I didn't want to be a burden to you or Uncle or Sarah…I won't run again. I promise.”

She let out a small chuckle, before bursting into a screeching laugh that sounded like fingernails being dragged on an iron surface.

“You know I used to love your father before he got married to your mother.”

“What?” I was thrown off by the unexpected announcement.

“Yes. Then your mother came and charmed him, stole him away from me and I had to settle for your Philip . I knew a day would come for me to take my revenge.

And it did when they were all killed and you were placed in our care. You look so much like her, that's what makes each torture more fun.”

I couldn't believe my ears as I stared at my godmother in shock ignoring the probing hands of the lady who washed me.

It all made sense now. Her intense hatred for me.

“You don't have to bother about running away. We are giving you away.” She announced a proud smirk on her lips.

“Away? To whom?” I felt dread fill my chest immediately.

Anyone that came from my godparents was not good.

“Who are you giving me to?” I demanded, surprised by the edge in my voice.

The lady washing me yanked me up prompting a yelp from me as the cold air bit into my skin.

“Get her dressed and brought to the office.” My aunty instructed before leaving the room.

My mind raced with various questions, as I went through the motions of getting dressed

Who are they giving me to?

Why?

And most importantly where am I?

I was shown into a brightly lit room where my godparents sat alongside a man. I recognised him as a rogue werewolf named Eugene who ran an illegal auction house.

My eyes darted furiously between my godparents as the realization of my whereabouts finally dawned on me.

“Alexandra,” my uncle began. “You tried running away once, but I'm not going to allow you to do it again.”

My gaze watered and I collapsed on my knees heavily hurrying to his side as my heart pounded furiously

“Please, uncle,” I sobbed. “Please don't sell me to him; I won't run away, ever.

I won't dream of taking any mate, nor disrespect Sarah or Dylan. Please just let me stay with you.”

In my mind, I knew staying with my uncle was hell, but at least I was familiar with hell. Selling me off will be throwing me into the abyss.

“It's too late, Alexandra; it has already been finalized

A buyer has been found already.”

My face turned pale and my whole body crumbled under the weight of his words. They had found a buyer, which meant it had been in the play for a while.

Whether I attempted to run away or not I would still have been sold.

“....you have been sold to the Alpha King of Shadow Creek Pack, Kieran Nightshade.”